Choosing a colour for a composite front door

[EmmBeeOhDee]

Hi All, interested to hear thoughts on a couple of front door related questions. I'll try not to ramble though I'm still working it out in my own head!

As far as I know you can't paint a composite front door, so the colour is permanent.

To keep costs down we will have a white upvc frame around the door and surrounding windows, there are already half flag windows and top lights surrounding the door which makes the overall quote come out around £3k (ouch) . So basically a lot of white frame. Standard 1930s semi-d with semi circle brickwork around the inset porch.

Looking at quotes for Endurance Doors and Solidor

What would you think of a front door in Turquoise Pastel or Peacock Blue? If we come to sell in 5 years (not British so there's always a chance we will move home) will it be off-putting for new buyers? I think bright front doors are so cheerful and sweet, so if it were purely for myself I would go for a colour that made me happy every time I came home.

Would the brighter colours look tacky against the white surround? As in, do they need a matching colour surround to really work visually?

2nd choice would probably be a Chartwell Green / Sage colour but I worry that this colour is so trendy at the moment it will date. I've actually used variations on this colour inside in a lot of rooms, but paint is easily redone (relatively, and inevitably by a new buyer). Or maybe it's so widely used now it will become one of the standard/ classic colours?

3rd choice French Navy which is me trying to be serious and classic, and which might have the widest appeal?

Also, on a completely different aspect if you have a door like this with a heritage pull lock and no handle, do you find it's easy to pull closed? You know how they can be a pain in the ass in old houses, and you always have to double check they're locked? I'm hoping a newly fitted composite will close quite smoothly? My husband has reservations (as he's the one careless enough to have left previous front doors flapping open) but I really like the more traditional look.

So thoughts on colour and the smoothness of the locking without a handle please 😀

When we got a new composite door a few years ago, we wanted something bright but not too “in your face” and went for ruby red, which looks good with the white upvc surround and beige stone. I’m not convinced by the turquoise/peacock blue, but I’m not sure why. I’d probably go for a more royal blue if I want a bright-ish blue.

Can’t comment on closure without a handle.

I don't think serious buyers would be put off by the colour of the door if they liked everything else about the house.

Personally I would go with navy as it's less likely to stain in the long term.

The picture I posted first is probably a bit garish, but I think ultimately you're right... Does this one change your mind at all? Haha 😄

It's a chartwell and turquoise side by side

I think red is a great shout and should have put it in the shortlist, but I'm hesitating slightly, I don't know why. Good to know it looks good with the white upvc 👍🏻

Thanks for your reply!

I like the door in the photo. My solidor is chartwell green. I’m not sure what the surround is, think it matches.

@Antarcticant good point, I hadn't thought about staining and colour fastness. I guess I assumed these new materials are pretty robust. People seem to say they're easily maintained and you just wipe them down. Can't remember which supplier, but either Endurance or Solidor use the same plastic as Lego in the outer finish!

Three different votes so far 😄

Go bright if it makes you happy.

(but that is my mantra for life).

@Jofergo good mantra!

I painted my pvc front door in exactly that turquoise colour I've had very favourable comments on it, if that helps.

@Shodan aaaahhh this changes things! I didn't know you could. Fab, the decision making will be a lot easier now.
Glad you have a turquoise door and love it!

I love the turquoise.

I prefer black. Stylish and never go put of fashion. Just remember those coloured bathroom suites.

We are just in the process of choosing too. I think we've settled on red as our garage doors are red and they've been fine to live with.

We are going to get a composite door and will go bright. I figure I have to walk through that door every day as I say goodbye to my home and as I return each evening and I will damn well feel cheerful as I bookend my day. Go bright. I love a colourful door. You're buying it for yourself and a serious buyer won't be put off by the colour of a door.

We have a lovely duck egg blue front door and it's always complimented! I'll pm you a pic

I would probably play safe and go with black, white or navy.

However, if a bright colour makes you happy go for it. The peacock blue is nice and although not a classic colour I don't think it would date too badly. I think the current trend of grey and pale sage type colours will date though.

I have seen some composite doors that have been recoloured. I've seen some painted (very badly) but others seem to have been professionally done and look good. That could always be an option un the future if you want a change.

My front door is Chartwell (was a new colour in 2014…) - I still like it, and I think it is now a classic colour, but I love that turquoise and would have it like a shot!

Don't like the turquoise. You can paint a composite door but it defeat the purpose of non maintenance if you do paint it

Duck egg blue came in just after Chartwell iirc. I love that too 🥰

OP, I don’t know what you mean about the pull handle, but does your front door get sun on it for any length of time? We have French windows at the back which face E, and the front door faces W, and both swell up slightly after a few hours in the sun and sometimes won’t lock for a while.

Our neighbour had new French windows in last year and hers are the same, so it’s not just older technology.

Our Solidor is duck egg blue and it gets loads of compliments (no-one has ever complimented any of our front doors before this one). I have an irrational dislike of door handles (I know that sounds ridiculous) so we have a round chrome door knob instead. We use either that or the key pull thingy to pull the door closed, and it's very easy - even my disabled DS who has difficulty with his fingers has no issue in closing (and opening) the door.

Go bright.
Who cares if it dates.
Next owners can change it if they don't like it.
My front door is the trendy pale green with a grey surround. Might look shocking in 10 years but we love it right now.

Don't go for red (speaking from experience) if in full daily sun - it fades.

My dream would be for a marigold yellow with a white flowering climber around the door 🧡 Sunshine all year round 😁

These suppliers don't seem to have that colour option, so will probably go down the turquoise /red / bright blue route instead

Interesting to see so many different opinions and that it's not polarising. Also that it wouldn't put a buyer off. Happy to know I won't be committing some enormous faux pas if I go down the colourful route 😁

I don't think anyone would not but a house because of the colour door having said that I would just go with black you can't go wrong and it looks smart